It didn't take long for the commotion caused by Shinji and his peers at the barbecue restaurant to be compiled into a report by the ANBU and delivered to the Hokage's office.
Despite the late hour, Tsunade was still handling official duties.
To ease Tsunade's burden, Shizune had to stay and assist, rarely visiting the hospital anymore.
Flipping through the ANBU's report, Shizune let out a soft gasp before handing it to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, take a look at this."
Taking the report, Tsunade read it carefully. "Hmm!"
Shizune said, "The report mentions Rock Lee. I've seen him a few times at the academy—a student who can't use ninjutsu, often at the bottom of his class. But Guy seems to think highly of him, always praising him as a dedicated genius!"
"To defeat so many peers and hold his own against Sasuke, Neji, and Kimimaro in a spar—that's impressive, even for a casual match!" Tsunade gave her assessment.
Shizune nodded. "Indeed, it's quite unexpected!"
"Drunkenness…" Reading the ANBU's gathered intel, Tsunade chuckled. "Who gets that wild after just one cup?"
Shizune sighed. "Not everyone has your tolerance, Lady Tsunade!"
Tsunade set the report down. "Keep an eye on this Rock Lee kid through the ANBU. Also, inform Guy about this."
"Understood!" Shizune replied.
Tsunade's brow furrowed slightly. "After the gathering, Uchiha Sasuke sought out Uchiha Shinji alone?"
Shizune reported, "Yes, they walked together and exchanged a few words. We don't know the details of their conversation yet."
Looking out the window, Tsunade murmured, "Why would Sasuke suddenly seek out Shinji?"
Shizune ventured, "To restore his dojutsu power?"
"With only a three-tomoe Sharingan, could Shinji really help Sasuke's Mangekyo?" Tsunade smiled, then her expression grew serious. "Unless… Sasuke knows Shinji has already awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan!"
Following Tsunade's line of thought, Shizune said, "So, with his surgery halted and no other options, Sasuke turned to Shinji? But that doesn't add up. If Sasuke knew Shinji had awakened his Mangekyo, he wouldn't have waited until now to approach him!"
Tsunade mused, "Maybe, like us, he wasn't sure."
Shizune thought for a moment and asked, "Do you think Sasuke got an answer from Shinji?"
"They walked and talked briefly," Tsunade said, pondering the report. "Sasuke didn't press further, which means he got a clear answer—whether it was an admission or a denial."
Shizune understood. "I'll arrange for Sakura to visit Sasuke and confirm the details."
Tsunade cautioned, "Keep it discreet."
"Don't worry!" Shizune replied, leaving the office.
Watching Shizune's retreating figure, Tsunade rubbed her temples.
Whether Shinji had awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan and what dojutsu it entailed had become a nagging concern for Hidden Leaf's leadership.
Only by confirming it could they feel at ease and begin to trust Shinji.
After the gathering, Shinji left a blood clone in the village to deal with the ANBU surveillance, while his real self quietly left Hidden Leaf with Mumei, heading to the secret laboratory.
"Shinji, what was up with Lee today?"
"I drank the same sake, but I only felt my cheeks get warm…"
"He was pretty impressive, though. If you hadn't stepped in, they might've torn the whole place down."
Alone with Shinji, Mumei became talkative, chattering about the gathering with obvious delight.
Shinji played the role of a good listener, smiling as Mumei vented and rambled.
Soon, they reached the secret laboratory.
There, Shinji first conducted a routine check on Mumei's condition, particularly her Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Due to past events, Mumei's Eternal Mangekyo had been overexerted, temporarily unusable. But its resilience far surpassed a regular Mangekyo, so with some rest, it would recover.
Shinji then performed a transplant surgery for the First Hokage's cells on Mumei.
The surgery was a success, and as the yin-yang fusion began, nourished by the 'All Creation Power,' Mumei's Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan recovered further.
Now, her Eternal Mangekyo had returned to normal, able to wield 'Yachihoko' and other Mangekyo dojutsu with ease.
After confirming the state of Mumei's Sharingan, Shinji said, "Sasuke's Mangekyo Sharingan's dojutsu power is nearly depleted. We need to restore some of it to keep him from causing trouble."
Mumei was puzzled. "Shinji, why do you insist on helping him?"
Shinji didn't hide anything, explaining slowly, "First, Sasuke's status is unique. If you aim to awaken the 'Rinnegan' in the future, you might need his chakra. Second, the pair of Mangekyo Sharingan I used to create your Eternal Mangekyo belonged to the former Uchiha clan leader—Itachi and Sasuke's father."
Mumei muttered under her breath, "You risked everything to take those Mangekyo from Danzo. What does that have to do with him?"
Shinji said, "Even if not for those Mangekyo, helping Sasuke is necessary if you want to pursue the 'Rinnegan' in the future, right?"
"I don't need his help!" Mumei paused, then added, "But since you want to help him, I'll go along with it."
Shinji smiled.
Mumei had the classic Uchiha trait of a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She clearly pitied Sasuke's struggle with his depleted dojutsu power, yet refused to admit it.
Using 'Jikibi' to contact Sasuke, Shinji, as 'A,' said, "I know about your surgery being halted by Hidden Leaf."
Receiving the leader's message, Sasuke, brooding in his apartment, perked up. "When will you restore my dojutsu power?"
Shinji replied calmly, "Now."
"What… now!?"
Sasuke was stunned.
Shinji didn't explain. "Are you ready?"
Sasuke quickly sat upright. "Yes, I'm ready!"
In the secret laboratory, Shinji gave Mumei a nod.
Mumei nodded back, activating 'Yachihoko' to link her chakra with Shinji's.
With 'Yachihoko's' enhancement, Shinji unleashed his 'Wazunagi.'
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